MALAYSIA TAKES FIRM ACTION AGAINST JOB SCAM SYNDICATES: A KEY FOCUS OF THE 2025 ASEAN CHAIRMANSHIP
MALAYSIA TAKES FIRM ACTION AGAINST JOB SCAM SYNDICATES:
A KEY FOCUS OF THE 2025 ASEAN CHAIRMANSHIP
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes the issue of job scam syndicates seriously and wishes to express its sincere appreciation to the Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO), alongside other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and members of the media, for their continued efforts in drawing attention to the plight of Malaysians who have fallen victim to job scam syndicates across the region.
As Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, this issue has been placed at the forefront of the regional agenda. Malaysia has taken concrete steps to raise the matter with fellow ASEAN Member States, including:
1. During the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in January 2025 in Langkawi, Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their collective commitment to combating transnational crimes, including people smuggling, trafficking in persons, drug trafficking, cybercrime, money laundering and the escalating threat of online scams.
2. During the 29th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit, Malaysia highlighted the urgent need for decisive action in response to the growing prevalence of cross-border crimes. ASEAN Ministers agreed to undertake a review of the ASEAN Plan of Action to Combat Transnational Crime (2016–2025), with the aim of reinforcing regional cooperation and coordination mechanisms, and to ensure that its successor documents—currently under development—comprehensively address new and evolving criminal threats.
3. During the 46th ASEAN Summit, ASEAN expressed the determination to intensify cooperation, through concrete actions, under the significant role of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) in leading law enforcement cooperation and addressing transnational crimes, particularly the growing threat of online scams and trafficking in persons (TIP) in the region.
Malaysia remains fully committed to working closely with ASEAN counterparts and all relevant stakeholders, including civil society, to strengthen preventive measures, enhance regional collaboration and ensure protection for all victims.
PUTRAJAYA
30 May 2025
